Why do you make me look at injustice ? Why do you tolerate wrong ? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds. Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous so that justice is perverted. Look at the nations and watch_and be utterly amazed For l am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.
Who has not felt the same pain as Habakkuk when seeing the effects of injustice? Who has not experienced in some form or fashion the pain of receiving unjust treatment? So many of our social problems revolve around the question of fair treatment for all people. So many of our spiritual problems revolve around the difficulty of treating all people the way that our Lord would treat them. In a time when the multitudes are convinced of their "inalienable rights" and pursue their definition of happiness in whatever action they desire, we who are submitted to the rule of God find it more and more difficult to accept the normal standards of our society.
Why does God wait and allow wicked and perverse behaviors to flourish? Why does the world seem to thrive on wickedness? While violent crimes abound, madmen plunge nations into war, and those who scorn the rules reap riches and fame, do we not find ourselves struggling with the conclusion that God is no longer paying attention to His creation? Sometimes we find ourselves crying out in despair, what about the rights of the victim? Is there no justice? Does might indeed make right ? Is survival of the fittest the highest law of man? Are we living at a terrible disadvantage because we strive to live by the will of God?
Habakkuk also cried out to God because of the cruel and heartless way of life he saw all around him. The callous contempt for others that marked the world enslaved to sin was a constant source of pain to Habakkuk so that he calls out in anguish to God, "Why do you tolerate wrong?"
The Lord of heaven answered Habakkuk, and His words are just as timely today. "Watch, and be amazed", He says "I am going to do something you will not believe, even if I tell you." Habakkuk is told
that God is going to use the Babylonians to punish the wicked and discipline Israel so that they will repent of their wickedness. Should we be surprised that the God who made heaven and earth is able to use even the wicked to serve His purpose? When God sent His only Son to stand before Pilate, did not Jesus point out that only because God allowed it did He stand before Pilate waiting for the verdict? And didn't Pilate render the verdict that had to be given? "Look...and watch," God says, and you will be amazed. Is anything more amazing than our salvation? Is anything more sure than the promise of God? "I am going to do something in your days"--will we remember the promise or see only the problems?
Back to Contents Does God Exist?, Jul/Aug97.